Trolley harp and shoe.



J. MILLER, Jn.

TROLLEY HARP AND SHOE.

APPucATloN man AuG.|4. |916.

1,283,418. Patented oct. 29, 191s.

I Jlorvney.

y i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MILLER. IIR., 0F AMESBURY, MASSACHUSETTS. ASSIGNOR TO LEWIS H. SHIPMAN,

f 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

i TROLLEY HARP AND SHOE.

15e it known that l, Jonx Mumien, Jr.` a citizen of the l'nited States. and a resident of Amesbury. Mass., have invented an linprovenient in Trolley llarps and Shoes, of which the following' description in connection with the accompanying' drawings. is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

Iy prisent invention is an improved trollev-shoe invention for use in transmitting' electrical power from a trolley wire to a car or vehicle carrying the harp. ln order to overcome many of (he diliicnlties incidental tonsing a rotary trolley wheel, which rapidly wear out bearings, give poor conductivity and are otherwise objectionable;` several types of slidingl shoes having' been devised. lt is an important object of'niy present invention to improve and perfect the slidinv shoe type otl trolley harp.

It .is a so an object of the invention to provide a shoe so balanced 'and supported and held inwontact with the wire, that it will back up readily and without danger of leaving;r the wire, and being equally ellicient in forward or rearward travel. This feature of my trolley shoe being' capable ot' traveling forwardly or backwardly without danger of liumping` olf the wil-e5 is also an advantage incident to a slidinlgr shoe as dis` tinguished from a freely rotating,r wheel. In carryingr ont the invention I have devised a very simple construction, economical to build and apply. and capable of longr use and wearahility, while ali'ording the important advantages of yielding self-seating contact. between Shoe and wire. and furthermore, my improved construction insures the holding;r of the shoe relatively willi the wire, on a long hearing, to obtain the benefits ol increased conductivity, thus affording' one ot' the most important advantages ol a sliding,r shoe construction as distinguished from a rotary wheel. My sliding shoe with its long wirecngfagingy groove giving perfect electrical conductivity between the wire and groove without material loss and having a pivoted bearing which only rocks or oscillates slightly, makes possible a construction which will greatly increase the life of the Shoe, whereas in rotary trolley wheels but a Single point, from Wheel lo wire was einoyed for conductivity and the rapid rotatlon of the wheel under the heavy tension of the spring:r-

Specification of Letters Patent.

atented Oct. 29, 1918. serial No. 114.639.

pressed pole. constantly wore out; the wheel axle bearingr with great rapidity.

Referring' to the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiments:

Figure 1 is a side view of one improved harp and shoe;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view on me 2*2 of Fig. 1f

Fig. 3 is a modified form ot" trolley shoe and harp and Fig. l is a cross sectional view on the line iw-4 of Fig. Ei.

l have illustrated a fragmentary portion 1, of a trolley head which is adapted to tit upon the end of a trolley pole (not shown), said trolley head carrying side arms 2 and il which constitute a part of the harp. The ends of the-side arms 2 and il are preferably enlarged as shown at l and 5 respectively, Fig. 2. where the ends are bored to receive the axle or pin l on which the trolley lshoe is supported and which may have a rotative or partially rotative action. To hohl the pin l iiplace, l prefer to cut away portions of the ends 4 and 5, as shown at` 7 and S so that the cotter piu or like t) may be fitted through appropriate recesses l() in the ends ot' the axle (i, and'thus hold the saine in position.

Mounted upon the axle ti is a trolley shoe l2 having' a peripheral groove 13 therein otsuitable :torni and size to tit upon the trolley wire with which the shoe is to be used. This shoe 12 is preferably oblong in shape so that a relatively long straight portion of the groove 13 may lit and slide upon the wire when 'the apparatus is in use. As shown in the drawings` this long straight portion of the trolley shoe extendsy for a considerable length from 14 to 15. lengthwise of the shoe. ()ne portion ofshoe 12 is of greater Weight than the other@ being for exa1'nple,-n1:nle solid or the pivo't. may be ccceiitrioand thus ha ve one portion of greater weight an that on the other side of` the pivot 'as indicated at 17, Fig. 2, constituting a eounterweight and tends to hold the shoe 12 in a vertical position whe said shoeisfree of contact with the trolley wire. However, when the shoe is allowed to eontac't with the wire and especially during the forward movement of the ear carrying the harp 1, the tshoe l2 is automatically1 oseillated upo'n its axle G and the long bearing surface from 14 to 5 of the groove 13 at once is seated upon the trolley wire and the Shoe assumes a substanlorin of my Sti tially horizontal position, as indicated in the dotted lines o Fig. 1, when in contact with the trolley wire, re resented by dotted line AB. When the s ioe first strikes the wire, as the trolley head and ole are positioned for this purpose, the s oe normally 'has the long portion of its wire'en aging groove standing substantially perpenf ieiiliir to the wire, owing to the relative position of the pivot and weight of the shoe. lVith the shoe in such position and with the end portion of the shoe thus first brought into Contact with the wire, the instant that the car, ole, and shoe move forward or backwar frietional action between the shoe and wire will cause the shoe to turn upon its pivot, until it assumes its desired position for service with the straight portion of the groove seated upon the wire. lveight 17 will automaticnll nid in maintaining the long bearing sur ace contact with the wire and also tend to prevent the rotation of the shoe 12. If, however, the shoe should strike an obstruction, as at switches, guy wires or the like, the shoe can yield and may even be rotated on the axle (l without injury or damage, and will always tend to be seated on a long bearing contact surface, from 14 to 15 irrespective of which side of the shoe may be the uppermost, and irrespective of the direction of travel, either forwardly or backwardly. This feature is of special importance as means to maintain the long bearing contact surface between the shoe and wire and also maintains a smooth sliding bearing,r surface while greatly increasing the electrical conductivity of the apparatus. Any suitable metal may be employed for the shoe 12 as well as for the axle 6 and har 1, the power being transmitted directly rom the shoe through the bearing of axle 6 to the harp 1 or by means of bonds or brushes leading from the shoe to the harp. In order to support the peripheral portion of shoe 12 upon the axle 6, an construction may be utilized, that shown eilig a preferred forni merely. In the drawings is shown Va huh comprising two members 18 and 19 each adapted to slidingly fit on axle and to clump on the central flange 20 of the shoc 12, between the upstandin portions 21 and 22 of hubs 18 and 19, a bt 23 being threaded through suitable apertures in 20 and 22 and into a tapped recess in the flan e 21. I prefer to form flange 20 with a su 'cient central recess therein to receive and rest upon hubs 18 and 19. In assembling the shoe, hub 1H is first fitted u )on axle then the shoe 12 applied and t ie central recess in flange 2t), fitted over the protecting portion 24 of hub 18, whe' the second hub 19 ig applied and the boli 23 fitted through thi` rccesscs in the respective members and tightened up, thusl firmly holding thc hub and shoe in un assembled position. The simplicity of this construction furthermore admits of quick renewal of either of the hub portions, 18 or 19 and the shoe portion 12 should any art become worn, damaged or broken. is feature is of great importance from a practical standpoint.

In the modified form illustrated in Figs, 3 and 4. I have shown a different form of shoe but mounted in the same manner as that just described, excepting that a sto is added to prevent the shoe from comp ete rotation. In this form of invention, shoe 25 has a counterweight 2G in its lower portion, tending to normally maintain the shoe in Fig. 3 with the straight part 27, of the wire receiving groove 28 in a substantially vertical position. Contact with the-trolley wire and particularly the forward movement of the car at once swings the shoe 25 into position for the straight portion 27 of the oove to slide upon the wire, weight 26 aiding in this yielding self-seating action. In order to prevent a complete rotation of this type of trolley shoe, I prefer to atlix on axle 6 a short stud. 2t). which may be housed within recess 30 in hub 21, the length of said recess 30 determining the limit of the oscillatory movement of the shoe 25 and its hub on axle G. This form of invent-ion is still more simple and economical than shoe 12 shown in Figs: 1 and 2, and is lighter in weight. Furthermore, one shoe can be Substituted for ythe other, if desired, and by having the pin or stud 29 remova. e no fui-ther change of' parts is necessaiy for this intcrchangeability. p

By the simple and ellicient construction of both forms, I am able to employ the best suited material for each arg-thus I may use' any Acomposition for t ie shoe` chilled or malleable iron `for the har 3, steel for the axle and any appropriate nieta for the liub which constitutes 'the combined hub and bearing. 'liere any one of the metals is n relatively poor conductor I may apply a suitable brush and bond and preferably arrange a lvielding hond of good conducting and spring metal. To this end I provide a bond member couiprising spring fork and arms 33, to clasp the hub 19 and `connected to the har i at 34 by it conductor, 35, of copper or the ike. I, also may prefer to apply spring 36, attached at one cud to a lug, 37, on the hub, 18, and at the other end to a pin 38 on the harp 1. This aids in giving a yielding limit to the rocking or oscillation of the shoe. The long contact surface of the shoe, and the flexibility of its oscillatory movement on the axle and besides the increased steadying contact with the wire through said long bearing, hirgdy pi'cvcuts anv jumping of the shoe from the wire, and furthermore, enables the shoc lo maintain its' ro )er contiictcitlier ii'hcn going ahead or liuc ing up. The arrangement of the axle and shoe with the overbalancing weight of the latter, either with or without the addition of the spring 36, also provides a sutlicient yielding means to cause the shoe to quickly recover its position when displaced, anl to assume its pro er Seaton the wire without undue strain.

aving described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A trolley shoe of the kind described, comprising a trolley harp. a sliding shoe carried by said harp having a relatively long Straight wire-engaging grooved portion, and a pivotal connection between the shoe and the, harp, .so constructed and arranged as to provide an overbalancing weight in the shoe relatively with the pivot, to normally hold the contact portion of the shoe in vertical position, while permitting automatic seating ofthe shoe on the wire in contact with said straight grooved portion.

i device of the kind described, comprising a trolley harp, a` sliding shoe carried by said harp and mounted thereon for partial rotative moven'ient, said shoe having a counterbalancing weight on one side ot its mounting to tend to cause said shoe to oscillate thereon, and current carrying means trom the shoe to the pole.

3. A device of the kind described, comprising a trolley harp, a sliding'shoe fitted to said harp, said shoe having a relatively long groove with a straight, wire-engaging portion therein, a counterluilancmg weight on said shoe at one side ot said pivot, a hub portion supporting the shoe on its pivot, current carrying means from said hub to the trolley harp independent of said pivot, and means to limit the relative pivotal movement otl the shoe and harp.

l. A sliding trolley shoe of the kind described, comprising a forked harp member, an axle carried thereby, a pair of coperating hubs on .said axle having extending flange portions intermediate the length of each ol said hubs. a trolley shoe adapted to t over the hub portions between said extending flanges and a bolt extending through said flanges and a portion of the trolley shoe held therebetween, in combination with current-comlucting means from the shoe to the hub. l

5. A .sliding trolley shoe ot' the kind descril'ied, comprising a harp having forked arms, an axle carried by said arms, two hub members adapted to be carried by said axle and to support a removable trolley shoe thereon, a trolley shoe adapted to be fitted onto said hub, having a relatively long wireengaging groove forn'ied therein, the mounting ot said shoe relatively with the axle being arranged for a connterbalancing weight to cause the shoe when not in motion to normally bo held on said axle 'with the straight wire engaging groove substantially in vertical position, and means to hold said shoe rigidly on said hub.

(l. A trolley .shoe of the kind described, comprising a trolley harp, a sliding shoe carried by said Jiarp, and having a relatively long straight wire-engaging grooved portion. a` pivotal connection between the shoe and the harp, so constructed and arranged as to provide an overbalancing weight in the .shoe relativelyv with the pivot to normally hold the contact portion of the shoe in vertical positiom. while permitting automatic seating ot' the shoe on the wire in Contact with said straight grooved portion, in combination with current conducting means from the shoe to the harp.

7'. A sliding contact trolley shoe of the kind described, comprising a trolley harp. a rotatable mounting for the shoe in the harp, said shoe being unevenly Weighted relatively to said mounting insuch manner that the friction ofthe shoe when in motion upon the trolley Wire tends to lit't the overweighted portion of the shoe whereby a portion of the contact surface is pressed more firmly against the Wire.

tl. A sliding Contact trolley shoe kind described, comprising a rotatable mounting for the of the trolley harp, a shoe in the harp,

said shoe being unevenly weighted relatively to said mounting in suoli a manner that the friction of the shoe when in motion either forwardly or backwardly upon the trolley wire tends to lift the overweighted portion ot' the shoe whereby a portion of the contact. surface is pressed more Hrmly against the wire.

9. A sliding contact trolley shoe substantially elliptical in shape havingwire-engaging surfaces on the flatter sides of the ellipse, a trolley harp, and a rotatable mounting for the shoe in said harp so as to permit either of such surfaces to be brought into operative contact with the trolley wire.

10. A slidin r contact trolley shoe substantially ellipticaliin shape, a trolley harp, a` rotatable mounting for the shoe in said harp, operative wire-engaging surfaces on the flatter sides o the ellipse, and a wire-engaging surface .substantially in the shape of an arc connectiner said operative surfaces, whereby said slioe can be partially revolved on its mounting without becoming disengaged from the trolley wire, the operative sliding contact automatically changing trom one ot' the flat sides of the ellipse to the other tlat side.

11. The combination of a trolley harp, a sliding contact trolley shoe having substantially flat sides with Wire-engaging surfaces in each side, and a groove normally in contact with the trolley wire, and connecting the wire engaging surtaces in the sides, said shoe. being detaehably and rotatably mounted in said trolley harp so that the respective positions of its two fiat sides can be reversed, thereby bringing a different wire-engaging Surface into operative Contact with the trolley wire.

12. The combination of a trolley harp, a sliding Contact trolley shoe having substantially fiat sides with a wire-engaging surface in each side, and a groove normally in contact with the trolley' wire and connecting the wire engaging surface in each Side, said Shoe being detaehably and rotatably mounted in said trolley harp so that the respective positions of its two flat aides can be automatially reversed, thereby bringing oppoaite wire-engaging surfaces` into operative contact with the trolley wire, when the direction of movement of the harp is reversed.

13. The combination of a trolley harp, a sliding contact trolley shoe Substantially elliptical in shape and having a continuous wire-engaging surface on its periphery eX- tending around the two Hatter sides of the ellipse and one of its areshapetl ends, whereby Contact with the trolley wire may be changed from one of the flat Contact surfaces to other without having the shoe lose its Contact with the Wire.

ll. A sliding contact trolley shoe having two Wire-engaging :surfaces on its periphery substantially opposite each other and means whereby one of lauch surfaces is automatically brought into operative position upon the trolley wire when the trolley ear moves in one direction and the opposite of sueh Surfaces is automatically brought into operative Contact with the wire when auch ear `moves. in the reverse direction.

In testimony whereof, l have signed my naine to this specification, in the, presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J OHN MILLER, JR.

Til'neases JAMES R. HOUDER, Liwiev H. Smmiav 

